Awesome Name Award: Zenon Kenopka

Try saying that three times fast!

Song of the Day: Civilization by Justice

I've been into this song for a bit now.  First heard it in that wicked Adidas commercial.  I'm not gonna post the commercial because that would be just a bit too much commercialization - though it does deserve to be seen for Messi at least.

Press Play.

Blackhawks Down! (Luuuuuu!)

What a relief! Thank God it turned out the way it did.

I don't think I could've stomached another Blackhawk victory if Luongo, Burrows and Kesler didn't turn it out.

J'adore: Eric Bana

As promised, Eric Bana gets his own post and boy does he ever deserve one.

J’adore this dude.

Down to earth?  Funny?  Handsome?  Check Check and Check.

Let’s just say that I spent a little too long writing this post as I got distracted quite a bit. And let me be real, this post serves no purpose beyond the gratuitous over-staring at Eric Bana.

Correct me if I’m wrong but I think he first came on the scene in North America with The Hulk but I somehow missed that movie in the hype the summer it came out. Now, I didn’t miss Troy which is where I first noticed him. And let me tell you something – the man was all kinds of goodlooking in that film and he was rockin a beard like nobody’s business. I don’t get the whole Brad Pitt thing (never did) so I couldn’t understand how people paid him more attention than Eric Bana.

Long story short, there are two kinds of crushes:
1. ones that are in passing that you lose interest in after awhile
2. and ones that you look back at 10 years later and are like ‘damn, I have good taste!’

Eric Bana is clearly the latter.

And Mr. Bana, you win my vote for best Australian ever. Your welcome.

Where two fascinations began

I feel you, Eric

Salt and pepper!

Is it wrong to find him attractive
even  when he is a disfigured villain?

Hanna

I just watched the movie Hanna and I can't say that I'm surprised by how good it was.  When I saw the trailer for the first time I was impressed with it and knowing that Cate Blanchett was in it was a plus.  I can't recall a single movie I've seen her in that I didn't enjoy.  She's pretty much my favourite actress.  Knowing that Saoirse Ronan was playing the lead was also exciting.  If you watched Atonement then you know that as a girl she stole the movie from both Keira Knightly and James McAvoy (Vanessa Redgrave was lovely as usual).

Ok, so the second time I watched the teaser trailer, I saw something that I couldn't possibly believe that I missed the first time.  Eric Bana.  My gosh, I will keep it simple here and devote a whole post to that man later.  Anyway, knowing that the movie was going to be carried by this delightful triumvirate I had high expectations and they were all met.

The movie is exciting and absolutely entertaining.  Hanna and her dad are all kinds of awesome as is Cate Blanchett.    This movie is more than just a good thriller, it’s a great story.  Don’t get me wrong – the fight and chase scenes are wicked.  But the scenes where Hanna is out discovering the rest of the world for the first time (especially the moments when she develops a friendship with a hilarious English girl) are what make this movie special.

Oh, and there is a scene in the movie where there is some flamenco dancing and the music is wonderful and the way the women dance is just beautiful.  Anyways, for a more serious review, I'll direct you to Roger Ebert.  But I will say that even though movies are really shit now, I thought that this was the best movie I've seen in a long while.

http://rogerebert.suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20110406/REVIEWS/110409995

Duncan Keith's Goal Celebration

My goodness, I am not supporting the Blackhawks at all but Duncan Keith's goal celebration makes me all fuzzy inside. Is it odd that I wanted to celebrate with him?

2011 Stanley Cup Playoffs

So, I’m watching the Stanley Cup Playoffs and it’s a bit meh to be honest.

Now, it doesn’t help that last year’s playoffs were epic.  Remember the Detroit-Phoenix series?  Remember Halak?  Montreal? Philly?  Last year was so damn exciting that it kinda spoilt this year’s just a little bit.

So, back to my original point, this year has just been ok so far.  Here are my thoughts from the first round thus far.

Eastern Conference

(1-8) Washington-New York: Boring.  Semin’s Game 1 overtime goal was incredible though.

(2-7) Philadelphia-Buffalo: Mildly interesting.  I just can’t believe that Buffalo could eliminate Philly.  If you asked me a month ago I would’ve bet Philly to take the Eastern Conference and have a really good shot at the final.  Now, I’d be surprised if they make it far, to be honest.

(3-6) Boston-Montreal: Now, this series is interesting.  Both teams are playing for keeps.  Game 4 and Game 5 both went to OT and were quite exciting.  Here’s to hoping things start going Montreal’s way again.

(4-5) Pittsburgh-Tampa Bay: This series was going just as I expected it, right up until today.  Tampa Bay turned it up, just in time.

Western Conference

(1-8) Vancouver-Chicago:  Sadly for the Canucks, this series is just starting to get interesting.  Here’s to hoping they don’t turn into complete headcases and can finish it in Chitown.  And seriously, what is with that Bolland guy.  Honest to goodness, the one thing the Sedins and I probably have in common is the way this guy grinds my gears.

(2-7) San Jose-LA: Actually, this series has been pretty interesting.  Game 3 - when San Jose scored 5 goals in the second period - was a really great game to watch.

(3-6) Detroit-Phoenix: Don’t even get me started.  Their series was practically my favourite last year so I had high hopes.  Let’s just say that I was disappointed.  I really felt for the Coyotes – I was totally rooting for them as the underdog and all.

(4-5) Anaheim-Nashville: Wow, this was the series I was least looking forward to and it’s quickly turning out to be the best one (this year’s Detroit-Phoenix, anyone?)  I’m supporting Nashville with this one as I like the team and the whole underdog thing they've got going for them.  I’ve got mad respect for them - I mean no one pays any attention to them on the regular yet the often make the playoffs with one of the lowest salary cap teams.  Did I mention that I really like Shea Weber.  Captain Caveman, I salute thee.

And Bobby Ryan’s goal?  Just press play.  Oh, and the poor guy can’t go a damn game without them mentioning that he was drafted 2^nd after Crosby.  Talk about a loooooong shadow.


All in all, as a Leafs fan I think that I might’ve underestimated the Western Conference.  So far, I’m enjoying it more than the Eastern.  But in the end, I’m just hoping everything gets just a little bit more exciting as it goes on.